KSIC asked to increase production of silk fabric

Mysore, Sep 8 (UNI) Karnataka Sericulture Minister Ramachandre Gowda today asked the public sector Karnataka Silk Industries Corporation (KSIC) to double its annual production from the existing 35,000m to 70,000 m.

Speaking after commissioning a Rs 11 lakh state-of-the-art effluent treatment plant at the Mysore silk weaving factory here, he said the KSIC, which used to produce 30,000 m of fabric annually, had been accumulating losses. However, it had registered a profit of Rs one crore last year by increasing its production by 5000m.

He urged the employees of the KSIC to pull the company out of the red by doubling its annual production and work in shifts. If need be, the KSIC should go in for recruitment to increase its staff strength, he added.

Stating that the silk sarees produced by KSIC were famous allover the world, the Minister said there was a need to establish a brand image that silk sarees manufactured by KSIC were authentic.

He said that state government had sought allocation of additional funds during the Eleventh five-year plan for development of the sericulture industry.

Emphasising the importance of adopting advanced technology, he said the state government was procuring sophisticated machinery from Japan to help silk reelers in a big way.

The global output of silk was 90,000 tonnes a year, of which China accounted for as much as 75,000 tonnes, while India's annual silk production stood at just 15,000 tonnes, he pointed out.

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